Scattering Seeds

I  have heard the parable of the sower many times from Matthew 13.   I’ve always thought the seed being scattered for the unbeliever.  The seed was the Gospel and when it fell on “hard ground” because of sin, the seed could not grow and became food for the birds.  The seed which fell on the stony ground grew but because the soil was not rich in nutrients, could not take root and the heat of the sun caused it to wither and die.   In the thorny ground, the seed grew but the “issues” of life choked out the nutrients and the seed could not grow.  Finally, the seed which falls on rich soil has nutrients for growth.  It matures, and becomes a strong plant producing fruit.   We respond to God’s Word based on where our heart is. Do we want God or do our own ideas, desires and circumstances come before Him?  

            I was introduced to another perspective, however, which could be just as viable.  Rather than thinking the only person retrieving the seeds are unbelievers, consider perhaps the seed is being “scattered” for believers.  Recognizing that Jesus is doing the “scattering” and He does nothing at random, is it possible the ground being described is our “life path.”  

            Even as believers we all sometimes trod “hard ground.” Sin enters our life and we therefore, don’t respond to God’s Word, even knowing our choices are the wrong ones.  There are also times when our lives are filled with stones and God’s Word is heard, but feeling barren and dry without water or nourishing elements, our roots wither beneath the intensity.  The seeds scattered in the thorny ground, like the rocky ground, finds Satan attacking us because we are vulnerable, choking out what is good and right, causing us to fall.  The seeds falling on fertile ground are those seeds which make our life good and right.

            In this light, the seeds thrown out by God are seeds of help to aid us “where we are.”  He is sending a life-line to meet us where and when we need Him most.  It doesn’t have to be a careless scattering, but rather a meaningful and loving message.  The seeds are rich nuggets we can use when we listen and hear Him with our hearts.  

God knows when our life is filled with rocks –great issues-- that threaten to destroy us.  He knows when we are filled with despair with thorns that threaten to choke the life out of us.  And He knows when we are walking on hard ground, making choices that satisfy our sinful nature but go against His law and will.  God also knows when our hearts are in tune with Him so the seeds scattered before us on fertile soil can be used for good and a blessing for ourselves and others. 

 

I want my life to be one that receives seeds on fertile ground.  But it requires I stay in the Word and in communication with My Lord.  I know, as a sinful creature, if I don’t, I’m going to be the life, when filled with stones is crushed beneath the weight; or the one who allows despair to strangle the joy from me, or the one who chooses to follow the prince of darkness and lead me away from the Light.

            Where do you find yourself today?  Could you be the unbeliever who ignores God’s word, or allows the world to blur the life line He is sending you?  Or could you be the believer who needs to reach for the life line of seeds to lift you up?  We all need the Father.  It’s a matter of heart and decision.  What will you decide?